Waiver View: Week 12

No more bye weeks, folks. The dread of worrying is over. Oh wait, four starting QBs are dealing with concussion issues and there's still a plethora of runningbacks on the mend, not to mention the fact that Gronk's arm was murdered. Also, Plaxico's back! And with the Steelers! And he'll have Charlie Batch throwing it to him!

(Yes, all of those statements deserved exclamation points and just so you know, they were in sequential order of escalating excitement)

Also, there is noticeably an unhealthy amount of Jaguars on this list, but I guess that's what happens when you play the Titans.

Week 12 Waiver View, everyone:

Colin Kaepernick, QB - San Francisco 49ers - He's not that good, okay? I understand how contradictory that sounds since I have him first on the list, but still. Anyone with legs could succeed in that system. They have the best offensive line in the league, one of the best rushing attacks in the league, and arguably the best defense in the league. Sprinkle in some competence at WR and a splash of elite at TE, and I'm sorry, there's just no way you lose games. BUT, having said all that, if Alex Smith can't go this week or Harbaugh for whatever reason chooses to go with Kappie here at QB, he gets the Saints. If you own Vick or Big Ben, or even Rivers (awful matchup) or Flacco (on the road), he's got to at least grab your attention.
Ownership: 1.2% ESPN, 2% Yahoo!, 0.4% NFL

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB - Buffalo Bills - Now, he warrants desparation but at this point in the season, there's a lot of it out there. And I'm not saying he's anywhere near Tom Brady, but did you see what the Colts defense allowed last week? Brady put up great fantasy numbers despite his team rushing for 115 yards and 2 TDs, logging a punt return TD and snagging two pick-sixes. So, what that tells me is that, no matter what happens against this defense, Fitzpatrick should have a good game. I mean, only so much can go wrong, right? It's on the road, but I believe that the Homeless King of Garbage Time gives you a good week.
Ownership: 55.4% ESPN, 48% Yahoo!, 29.6% NFL

Ronnie Hillman, RB - Denver Broncos  - Willis McGahee is out until at least the AFC Championship game, which does nothing for fantasy owners. Hillman has been damn impressive all season, and I've pointed it out many times. He's got great cutting ability and killer speed, which happens to be a pretty nice combo for a runningback. Now that his handcuff-status has been lifted, expect a lot out of the young guy.
Ownership: 0.6% ESPN, 9% Yahoo!, 1.1% NFL

Bryce Brown, RB - Philadelphia Eagles - Assuming LeSean McCoy, who still has headaches and hasn't practiced because of them, ends up missing Sunday's game, Brown will be the starter. And sure, Dion Lewis may be sprinkled in here and there, but Brown had 35 yards on just 5 carries last week. Lot of promise in a big spot against a terrible run defense.
Ownership: 0.3% ESPN, 3% Yahoo!, 0.2% NFL

Jalen Parmele, RB - Jacksonville Jaguars - Well he did last week what we were waiting on Rashad Jennings to do since the preseason ended.
Ownership: 0.1% ESPN, 2% Yahoo!, 0% NFL

Beanie Wells, RB - Arizona Cardinals - He has what most people would consider a "god-awful schedule,"  but he is still a starting RB on an NFL team so if you were giving considerable thought to some guy named Jalen Parmele, Wells is worth stashing. He does have one nice matchup against the Jets, but other than that, you'll be hoping for the best. Or for a desperate owner in your league overpaying you for him.
Ownership: 47.6% ESPN, 26% Yahoo!, 49.6% NFL

Cecil Shorts & Justin Blackmon, WRs - Jacksonville Jaguars - They'll see a massive improvement in production now that they have a quarterback who's not afraid to play quarterback. Henne's not good, but he plays well in the pocket and doesn't lay down every time he senses pressure (which in Gabbert's case, is every time the ball is snapped). 

Shorts - Ownership: 19.1% ESPN, 42% Yahoo!, 8.8% NFL
Blackmon - Ownership: 46.2% ESPN, 23% Yahoo!, 50% NFL

TY Hilton, WR - Indianapolis Colts - He's quickly proving his worth and Luck sees it. Which, is probably the only thing you're worried about if you're a Colts WR. He's got a lot of big-play potential but we've seen him produce his share of drops, too. 

Ownership: 4.7% ESPN, 22% Yahoo!, 7.4% NFL

Dustin Keller, TE - New York Jets - His only double-digit scoring game of this season (in standard leagues) came against the Patriots who he plays this week. The Pats, not coincidentally, have given up at least five catches to opposing tight ends eight times this year.
Ownership: 32% ESPN, 38% Yahoo!, 48% NFL

Jermaine Gresham, TE - Cincinnati Bengals - He's finally building some consistency (fantasy-wise, at least). In the last five games, he's put up at least 6 standard league points in four of them. Dalton's looking to him more and more in the redzone as well. Things are only getting better for Gresham and his fantasy owners.

Ownership: 71.5% ESPN, 82% Yahoo!, 30.7% NFL

Brandon Myers, TE - Oakland Raiders - He's been written about here before. Educate yourselves.

Ownership: 16.9% ESPN, 40% Yahoo!, 12.2% NFL